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EP 0 247 741 A1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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Date of publication: |
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02.12.1987 Bulletin 1987/49 |
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Date of filing: 30.04.1987 |
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International Patent Classification (IPC)4: B61B 11/00 |
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Designated Contracting States: |
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AT CH DE ES FR GB IT LI SE |
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Priority: |
01.05.1986 GB 8610661
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Applicant: MORGANITE CANADA INC., |
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Toronto M4A 1H7
Ontario (CA) |
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Inventor: |
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- MacFarlane, William Edward
Scarborough
Ontario M1N 1Z6 (CA)
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(74) |
Representative: Weston, Robert Dale et al |
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c/o PHILLIPS & LEIGH
7 Staple Inn
High Holborn London WC1V 7QF London WC1V 7QF (GB) |
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Remarks: |
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The title of the invention has been amended (Guidelines for Examination in the EPO,
A-III, 7.3). |
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(54) |
T-bar for a ski lift |
(57) A 'T' bar is provided which is formed as one piece from polyurethane or other material,
moulded about a connecting insert, the seat having a ribbed surface.
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[0001] This invention relates to a 'T' bar for use on a ski drag.
[0002] Ski drags are installations at ski slopes comprising a driven endless belt or wire
carrying 'T' bars on spring linkages at intervals along the belt or wire. In use a
skier takes a 'T' bar and places it so that the shaft of the 'T' bar lies between
the legs of the skier and the cross-pieces of the 'T' bar lie behind the legs of the
skier forming a seat. The skier is then dragged in upright posture up the slope on
his skis.
[0003] At present 'T' bars are constructed of sub-components made of wood, metal or plastics
materials which are fastened together to form the 'T' bar. Such 'T' bars often break.
Ingress of water between sub-components can be a factor in such failure.
[0004] The applicants have realised that existing design faults can be overcome by using
a unitary construction. Accordingly this invention provides a 'T' bar of unitary construction.
Advantageously the 'T' bar may be moulded of plastics material e.g. polyurethane.
The plastics material may be protected from ultra-violet light-induced degradation
by admixture of carbon black or other inhibitors.
[0005] In a preferred form the 'T' bar may be made by integrally moulding plastics material
about a connecting insert, for attachment of the 'T' bar to the ski drag.
[0006] Advantageously the 'T' bar cross-pieces (which form a seat in use) are ribbed transversely
to their length to assist skiers in stabilising themselves when being dragged up a
ski slope.
[0007] The invention is illustrated by way of example only in the drawings in which:-
Fig. l shows a 'T' bar in front elevation; and
Fig. 2 shows the 'T' bar of Fig. l in side elevation.
[0008] The 'T' bar l is made of polyurethane material containing 0.5% by weight of carbon
black and 0.25% by weight graphite as an ultra-violet degradation inhibitor. The polyurethane
material is a dense polyurethane which is gravity poured into moulds and thermally
set. A two part system comprising curative and pre-polymer is used. The curative (UNICURE
M - Trade Mark of Uniroyal Limited) is used as a curative for diamine types of liquid
pre-polymer. The pre-polymer (ADIPRENE L325 - Trade Mark of Uniroyal Limited) is a
polyether based liquid urethane polymer which in its uncured form contains a small
amount (about 5 per cent) of free toluene di-isocyanate. The combination of curative,
pre-polymer, and carbon black/graphite inhibitor sets on curing to give a polyurethane
of high tensile strength, hardness and abrasion resistance and low compression set.
[0009] Typical properties of set ADIPRENE L325 are:-

[0010] The 'T' bar comprises a shaft 2 and cross-pieces 3; the cross-pieces 3 forming a
seat which has ribbing 4 to assist in stabilising a skier. At the end of the shaft
2 remote from the cross-pieces 3 is a connecting insert 5 (in this embodiment a threaded
rod insert) for connecting the 'T' bar to the ski drag.
1. A 'T' bar for use on a ski drag, characterised in that the 'T' bar is of unitary
construction.
2. A 'T' bar as claimed in claim l in which the 'T' bar in of plastics material integrally
moulded about a connecting insert.
3. A 'T' bar as claimed in claim 2 in which the plastics material contains an inhibitor
to protect against ultra-violet light-induced degradation.
4. A 'T' bar as claimed in any preceding claim in which the cross-pieces of the 'T'
bar form a seat having a ribbed surface.